Powder Skis for Heavier Guys

Im about 230 pounds and am looking for a powder ski that will give me good float without digging in. Any suggestions?I'm thinking about bent chetlers which are 123 underfoot. I should add that the skis I'm looking for would only be used for cat, heli or resort days with truly huge dumps.

Thanks very much. I'll check them all out. I'm thinking I'll need a ski that's at least 120mm or so underfoot. Even 110 powder boards tend to dig in a bit with my weight. On the other hand in my experience 130 plus boards can be a bit cumbersome - even in pow. Anyway that's been my experience. I realize there's probably a lot more to it than the width under foot.

yep! A lot more. How your boots are fit, where you are mounted and technique. my guess is that the construction is more of a factor for you which is why I listed mostly stiffer ~120 wide skis and commented on the Gunsmokes shorter length. Your weight is not totally unique or unusual. How tall are you?

Nice list, depending on what a 230#er wants to do with them; OP, are you a directional skier (facing forward), or do you like to ski switch? I would be dubious about the Petitor, Sean is a tiny little jibber probably half the man (in terms of mass) as the OP, that has to play a part. How tall are you? there's 5'7" 230 and then there's 6'4" 230...

Of that list, I would think the Atlas, the ON3Ps, the Megawatt have the needed ass to support your ass. the X-factor skis on that list (for me) would be the Keeper, DPS, the Priors and the Praxis, I don't know enough about them...

Phil, I'm not entirely sure some of the skis listed above would be appropriate even if you're 'big' enough for them. If you have any video, it would certainly help point you in the right direction. Some of the beefier skis listed need some skilled driver input even at your size and weight, some less so.

Well then, Achtung Wilhelm! You get to look at some pretty serious skis; I would add the ON3P Wrenegade to your list of directional powerhouses, plus with indies like ON3P and Praxis, you get to call them up and ask for extra stiff pleaseandthankyou. Adding further to your fine-tuning, do you like to make short turns, or do you want to point the skis downhill and keep 'em that way? There are directional turny fat skis (~19m turn radius), and there are fall line 30+m skis...

the reason for the rediclulous list is because of the many variables that any skier should consider. Switch, stomping, hard charger, big open turns, short swing, Preferences for ski feel, etc, all go into the mix so its kind of hard to say "buy this one" without knowing. I didn't list the benny specifically as I think its too soft for someone your size.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the icelantic gypsy? Seems like icelantics floatiest ski and I've heard its stiff when compared to skis with similar waists like the bentchetler. Fully rockered though.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the icelantic gypsy? Seems like icelantics floatiest ski and I've heard its stiff when compared to skis with similar waists like the bentchetler. Fully rockered though.

I really like the Gypsy. It's fat and turny, but can still rail pretty well.

The Icelantic Gypsy is is a full rocker reverse camber ski (more spinable and can ski switch), whereas the Keeper has early rise tip and tail with some camber and a 150mm sharknose. I believe they have similar total surface area, but the Gypsy is much more soft snow oriented. I have the Keepers and they are amazingly versital. I am 6'5" and 220 lbs and love my Keepers in any kind of snow. The funkier it is the more they shine. I do not consider the Keeper a particularly stiff ski because they have a nice fairly uniform flex. I believe the Gypsies need to be skied pretty much from the middle, while the Keepers ski more like a traditional ski with a solid feel and a big sweet spot.

The Icelantic Gypsy is is a full rocker reverse camber ski (more spinable and can ski switch), whereas the Keeper has early rise tip and tail with some camber and a 150mm sharknose. I believe they have similar total surface area, but the Gypsy is much more soft snow oriented. I have the Keepers and they are amazingly versital. I am 6'5" and 220 lbs and love my Keepers in any kind of snow. The funkier it is the more they shine. I do not consider the Keeper a particularly stiff ski because they have a nice fairly uniform flex. I believe the Gypsies need to be skied pretty much from the middle, while the Keepers ski more like a traditional ski with a solid feel and a big sweet spot.

Would the k2 obsethed be "more" like the keeper, rather than the gypsy?

Never skied the Obseths, but based on the description it sounds like it is a cross between the Gypsy and Keeper. Designed to ski switch in the park like the Gypsy, but with some camber like the Keeper. Based on people I've talked to who have ski the Obseths they really liked them and it sounded like they would ski more similar to the Keepers than the Gypsies, but I am certainly no authority on the subject

Never skied the Obseths, but based on the description it sounds like it is a cross between the Gypsy and Keeper. Designed to ski switch in the park like the Gypsy, but with some camber like the Keeper. Based on people I've talked to who have ski the Obseths they really liked them and it sounded like they would ski more similar to the Keepers than the Gypsies, but I am certainly no authority on the subject

Ya thats what i am trying to figure out. I havent skied them yet, but I am pondering returning my obsetheds and buying some 11/12 on3p Billy goats..but there 200 bucks more and i honestly dont think its worth it. the K2 is looked at like a easy switch big mountain/park ski but thats only because everybody mounts theres at +4 through +7 lol. Screw that, im mounting mine at the traditional spot for freeride and pow. that will make them much more directional, and therefor more charger like the BG's or Keepers.

I really like the Obsethed but those On3ps wont leave me alone. For 599 tho id rather wait till next year when i actually have some neccesity for a new ski and get the Reverse side cut billy goat when its leftover.

I've skied the Obsetheds, the Keepers and the Gypsies. I thought the Obsetheds skied more like the Gypsies than the Keepers. The Gypsies and Obsetheds both had a looser, surfier feel to me than the Keepers. The Keepers reminded me more of the Sidestashes.

That's because they aren't what I think of when I think of skis for a larger dude. The impression I got from them is they are burly as hell skis for guys that get over 100 days a year and have ZERO questions about their physical fitness whatsoever.

I'm 6' 1" and 230. I've got about 15 extra pounds on me. I get about 50 days a year, and am in pretty decent physical shape.

The Patrons are some of the burliest skis I've ever demoed, and they were WORK to get to perform. I don't think I spend enough time pushing the envelope hard enough to feel the benefit of them vs. some of the more playful skis. Lots of people buy powder sticks to cover the fact that their physical fitness isn't as robust as it could be, and that includes a lot of the folks pushing my side of the scales.

To the OP-

How tall are you and how long are the skis you are skiing? I ski 189 Obsethed (the "1st generation" 105 waist) and 189 Kung Fujas (the year of the 95 waist and rocker tip and tail).

Haven't seen a problem with float on either, except if I am dropping a cornice into anything over two feet on the Kung Fujas I pay attention to making SURE I'm not frontseat as they can tip dive on impact. But normal skis in contact with the snow powder skiing, they both stay on top.

Obviously if they are a heli/cat/dump ski only, I would be looking at Hellbents over Seths (or at least nothing skinnier than Seths, but if you are are having float issues on anything wider than 95, I'd seriously consider whether it was the length vs. the width.